Newborn Baby 'Suffocated' In Bed, Woman Arrested

Police were called to Lychgate Court in Oldham after paramedics found the baby

A woman has been arrested after the death of a baby only a few weeks old, suspected of suffocating the child by lying on the infant whilst in bed.

The woman, 55, is being questioned by detectives on suspicion of causing death to a child by overlaying, police said. Overlaying is a term used when a baby is suspected to have suffocated when somebody lies on them while in bed.

Police were called to Lychgate Court in Oldham after paramedics found the baby - described by police as "barely three weeks old" - was "unresponsive".

The infant was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later. Detective inspector Dave Moores, said: "This is an absolutely tragic case in which a baby who is barely three weeks old has died.

"Any death of a baby is always extremely upsetting and keenly felt by family members and even the wider community.

"An investigation is under way and we are committed to identifying how and why this baby died. We also have officers supporting family members at what is clearly a very distressing time for them."

The arrested woman, who is understood to be related to the child, remains in custody.